Is this tax right for a 2016 Ford Kuga?
Hi there.
I have a 162 Ford Kuga and my tax per year is €710. This seems very high for a 2016 car. Am I missing something?
Thanks
Niall O Driscoll (Cahersiveen )May 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
HI Niall,
Yeah, that sounds wrong to us. The highest emissions figure we can find for a 2016 Kuga is 140g/km, which would result in tax of €280, and that would be for the range-topping 180hp version with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox. However, €710 is EXACTLY the motor tax you’d pay on a 2.0-litre engine if the car was previously registered as a commercial vehicle and then taxed as a private car. Maybe check and see if that’s the case?
Looking at importing a BMW Z3...
Hi,
I am planning to buy a 1999 BMW Z3, 52k miles, value £3,390 (Sterling pounds), 2.0-litre automatic. How much is the VRT for this car? I could not find BMW Z3 in the VRT website, only BMW Z4. Will they consider this 1999 Z3 as a classic car?
Marlon C (Lucan)May 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Marlon,
It’s not a classic yet, I’m afraid. To qualify for ’vintage’ status (as Revenue erroneously insists on using), a car has to be at least 30 years old, so the youngest BMW Z3s won’t start to qualify until 2025. Calculating a VRT value for one is tricky, as prices and values are massively variable according to condition. I would think that a value of around €6,000 sounds about right, which could mean as much as €2,100 in VRT terms given that the 2.0i auto is in the highest band for VRT with CO2 emissions above 225g/km. That’s just a guess though — Revenue is notoriously awkward about valuing cars that are less common.
My low-mileage car has stop-start issues...
My auto start-stop does not work; the dash says engine is on due to vehicle charging and it just stays that way. The car only has 10,000 miles on it.
Gerald Hawk (DUNMORE)Apr 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Gerald,
Most stop-start issues can be traced to a problem with the battery. Perhaps with such low mileage it isn't being kept topped up. Regardless, we suggest you read the feature we wrote about this, called Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.
How much to privately tax a Hilux?
Hi,
I am thinking of purchasing a Toyota Hilux 2.4 auto twin cab; could you please let me know what would be the cost of the motor tax, as I would have to register it for private use?
Thanks.
Patrick Murray (Dungarvan )Apr 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Sadly, with a big engine like that, it’ll be €1,080 a year.
What's up with my Toyota Yaris?
My Toyota Yaris's power steering light comes on and car loses power. What's going on?
Lee Davis (London)Apr 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Lee,
We are not aware of any specific issue on the Yaris that relates to, but it sounds to us like an electrical problem that needs a good mechanic or auto electrician to sort out.
Ford Fiesta Active or new Puma?
I am looking at getting a new car, something easy to get into. I have aFord Fiesta automatic (disabled driver) so was looking at an Active model or saving up a bit and going for the Puma (which I like the look of). Both will have to be automatic. Am looking at Fords first before I look at options.
Emmet K (Westmeath)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emmet,
To be honest, the difference in height between the Fiesta and the Fiesta Active is pretty minimal and so it’s probably not worth the trade-up. The Puma, though, is a different story entirely. Again, in terms of height, the difference isn’t huge, but the Puma’s interior and boot are much larger than that of the Fiesta, and added to which it’s even more entertaining to drive. In fact, it’s one of our favourite cars of the year thus far, so we’d say go for it. Well worth also considering the likes of the new Renault Captur, the Peugeot 2008 and the Skoda Kamiq too.
Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
My F-150's auto stop isn't working...
I have a 2015 Ford F-150 and the auto stop just stopped working.
Andres Rios (Edinburg)Feb 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Andres,
Stop-start systems regularly stop working. So much so that we've written a guide on the subject: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Why the difference in motor tax for my Mercs?
I own two Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre cars; one costs €290 and the other costs €570: why the difference?
Ed Hogan (Carrick-on-Suir)Feb 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
OK, this one takes a bit of deciphering. I’m guessing that you mean you own two Mercedes-Benz models, both using the 2.1-litre diesel four-cylinder engine. I’m also assuming that you’re talking about the cost of motor tax, although the €290 figure is a little odd — did you mis-type when you meant either €280 (for Band B2) or €390 (for Band C)?
The discrepancy could be down to a number of factors. You don’t, for example, state which models you’re talking about — E-Class? C-Class? Coupe? Convertible? Estate? Do both cars have automatic transmissions? Are they both on the same size wheels? Were they both manufactured in the same year? There’s a huge variation in vehicle emissions and, if you’re talking about the gap between Band C and Band D, it takes only a single g/km of CO2 to tip from one to the other.